Two up, two down: Padres 7, Braves 6

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran kicks around the dirt on the mound as San Diego Padres' Will Venable rounds the bases with a three-run homer in the fourth inning of a baseball game in San Diego, Monday, June 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
— AP

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran kicks around the dirt on the mound as San Diego Padres' Will Venable rounds the bases with a three-run homer in the fourth inning of a baseball game in San Diego, Monday, June 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
/ AP

Back in the mix. All the way back in spring training, Logan Forsythe was a candidate to start at shortstop or second base. But he landed on the DL with a foot injury in March and Jedd Gyorko hit the ground running – until pulling his groin Sunday, that is. Now Forsythe is back in the fold as a starter in the infield and he made his presence felt right away with a 445-foot homer in his first at-bat. Forsythe also singled and walked in three plate appearance. Jedd who, right?

Petco love. So much for that marine layer. Will Venable blasted his eighth home run of the year in the fourth inning, seven of which have come at Petco Park. The home run, which is now tied for the team lead with Gyorko, opened up a 5-1 lead that made Jason Marquis’ night that much easier. Saving a taxed bullpen, Marquis pitched into the eighth inning despite issuing five walks. He allowed two runs on five hits in 7 2/3 innings and struck out four in improving to 8-2.

The Bad:

Little relief in sight. The Padres’ looked like they had an easy win in the bag. Then Tim Stauffer entered the ninth inning, Dan Uggla and Chris Johnson singled and after B.J. Upton took Will Venable to the wall on a fly ball to right, pinch-hitter Evan Gattis tagged a 381-foot homer to left to cut the Padres’ lead to 7-5 and force manager Bud Black to dip into his bullpen yet again. Dale Thayer recorded the final two outs, but not before giving up a home run to Jason Heyward, his second of the game. Look for Thayer to get the day off Tuesday, after Luke Gregerson was unavailable Monday.

More injuries. Gyorko’s pulled groin will further test the Padres’ depth, which was already strained last week when first baseman Yonder Alonso landed on the disabled list with a fracture in his hand. Sure, Forsythe filled in just fine Monday – and is probably a starter on a lot of teams – but mounting injuries is preventing the Padres from truly getting over the hump in the NL West.